Medicare’s Oversight of Compounded Pharmaceuticals Used in Hospitals.
A widely-reported meningitis outbreak in the United States uncovered quality and safety issues associated with the use of compounded sterile preparations. This publication describes an analysis of five accreditation organizations and their ability to provide oversight and inspection of Medicare hospitals that contract with compounding entities. The authors offer recommendations to help hospitals determine if their compounded sterile preparations contracts ensure products are prepared safely for use, including targeted training for surveyors related to compounding and improved contracting processes.